Revamping Burlington’s Infrastructure: The Watermain Project Explained

The City of Burlington understands the importance of reliable water infrastructure for its residents. That's why they are undertaking a critical project: the replacement of the existing watermain on New Street at Tuck Creek. This project is crucial to ensuring continued access to clean, safe drinking water and fire protection for the community. This work will prepare for future bridge work as well.

This project, focusing on the section of New Street between Woodview Road and Elwood Road, involves replacing aging underground pipes with a new, more resilient watermain. The current watermain is nearing the end of its lifespan and requires replacement to minimize the risk of leaks, breaks, and service disruptions. The new watermain will improve water pressure and flow, ensuring a consistent and dependable water supply for years to come.

The New Street Watermain Replacement Project is scheduled to take place from November 2024 to May 2025. The City recognizes that this project may cause some temporary inconvenience for residents in the area. However, the long-term benefits of this investment far outweigh any temporary disruptions. The City is committed to keeping residents informed throughout the project and minimizing disruptions as much as possible.

Modern Techniques: Understanding the Construction Process

The City of Burlington is utilizing trenchless technology for this project, a modern approach to watermain installation that minimizes excavation and disruption to the surrounding area. This method involves inserting the new watermain pipe through a small entry point, reducing the need for extensive digging and trenching. This approach helps to expedite the construction process, lessen the impact on traffic, and protect the environment.

An essential aspect of the project involves connecting the new watermain to the existing water supply system. This process, known as a "watermain tie-in," requires temporarily shutting off water service to affected homes. The City of Burlington will provide residents with a 48-hour notice prior to any planned water service interruptions.

While the City strives to complete the majority of the construction work during regular daytime hours, some watermain installation and tie-in activities may need to occur at night. This strategy allows crews to work more efficiently and reduce the overall duration of the project, minimizing the impact on residents and traffic flow.

Keeping Burlington Moving: Traffic Management During Construction

The City of Burlington recognizes that construction projects can impact traffic flow. For the New Street Watermain Replacement Project, the City is implementing several measures to mitigate disruptions and ensure the smooth movement of vehicles in the area.

To facilitate construction activities, a single lane restriction will be in place on New Street. This restriction will affect the westbound curb lane between Woodview Road and Elwood Road. Drivers should anticipate potential delays, especially during peak hours, and are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly or consider alternate routes when possible.

The City will install traffic control barriers and signage throughout the construction zone to guide traffic and maintain a safe environment for both motorists and construction workers. These measures will clearly delineate the work areas and provide advanced warning to drivers about lane restrictions and changes in traffic patterns.

Despite the lane restriction, the City will maintain vehicle access in both directions on New Street. Local residents will retain access to their properties, though temporary disruptions may occur when work is being conducted directly in front of their homes. The City will make every effort to minimize these disruptions and will provide residents with advance notice of any planned access restrictions.

Minimizing Disruptions: How the City is Supporting Residents

The City of Burlington acknowledges that construction projects, while necessary, can temporarily disrupt daily life for residents living near the construction zone. To minimize these disruptions during the New Street Watermain Replacement Project, the City is implementing a variety of measures to maintain a high quality of life for those living along New Street.

Residents should anticipate minor vibrations at times due to the use of construction equipment. While the City recommends removing small, light objects from shelving as a precaution, significant structural impacts are not expected. The City is committed to open communication with residents throughout the project. If any resident requires more details or has concerns, they are encouraged to contact the designated project contacts for assistance.

Recognizing the importance of pedestrian access, the City is implementing a safe detour route around the construction area. The City is also committed to maintaining access to driveways as much as possible. While temporary closures may be necessary when work occurs directly in front of a property, the City will provide residents with advance notice of any planned access restrictions. To address potential parking challenges, the City is relaxing enforcement of the five-hour on-street parking by-law during times when driveways are inaccessible due to construction. Residents are encouraged to register their vehicles online to take advantage of this parking exemption program and avoid parking tickets

Keeping You Informed: Navigating Water Service Interruptions

The City of Burlington and Halton Region recognize that a consistent water supply is crucial for daily life. As the New Street Watermain Replacement Project progresses, there will be planned temporary interruptions to water service as crews connect homes to the new watermain. These interruptions, while temporary, are necessary to ensure the integrity and safety of the new system.

Before any planned water service interruption, Halton Region will issue a 48-hour advance notice to affected residents. This notification will outline the specific date and time of the interruption, giving residents ample time to prepare. Residents can use this time to store water for drinking, cooking, and other essential household needs.

Transparency and communication are top priorities throughout this process. The City of Burlington encourages residents to stay informed about planned interruptions by regularly checking the project updates on the City's website. Utilizing the "Subscribe to Page Updates" feature on the website will ensure residents receive email notifications whenever new information is posted. Residents can also subscribe to receive updates on all ongoing city construction projects and municipal news

Parking Solutions During Construction

The City of Burlington recognizes that construction can sometimes limit driveway access for residents. To accommodate residents during the New Street Watermain Replacement Project, the City has implemented a parking exemption program.

For the duration of the project, the City will relax enforcement of the "5-Hour" maximum on-street parking bylaw when a resident's driveway is inaccessible or closed. Residents are asked to register their vehicles online or by phone to avoid receiving a parking ticket. This registration allows residents to park on the street beyond the five-hour limit or overnight between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., for up to 15 days per calendar year, per license plate. During construction, any extra days used due to inaccessible driveways will not count towards the 15-day annual limit.

Important Notes:

● It is crucial for residents to register their vehicles to avoid receiving parking tickets.

● This exemption only applies to exceeding the five-hour limit or overnight parking restrictions.

● All other parking offenses still apply, such as parking in No Parking zones, blocking fire hydrants, or parking facing the wrong direction

Keeping Waste Collection Running Smoothly

The City of Burlington understands that convenient waste and recycling collection is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy neighbourhood. During the New Street Watermain Replacement Project, garbage and recycling collection will continue as scheduled.

The construction contractor will ensure that all garbage and recycling containers are accessible to the collection trucks. The contractor is responsible for moving containers to a location where the collection truck can easily access them and then returning the containers to their original location after collection.

Residents can assist the contractor by clearly marking their house number on their garbage and recycling containers. This will help the contractor efficiently identify and relocate the containers for collection.

Respecting Your Space: Minimizing Noise and Vibration

The City of Burlington is committed to minimizing disturbances related to noise and vibration during the New Street Watermain Replacement Project. While some vibration from construction equipment may be noticeable at times, the City expects these vibrations to be minor. Residents are advised to remove small, light objects from shelving as a precautionary measure. However, significant structural impacts are not anticipated.

The City is also mindful of potential noise levels during construction. While the provided sources do not specifically mention noise mitigation strategies, it's reasonable to assume that the City will adhere to standard construction practices, which typically include limiting work hours and utilizing noise-reducing equipment whenever possible.

Residents who have concerns about noise or vibration levels during construction are encouraged to contact the designated project contacts provided on the City's website. Open communication is a priority for the City, and they are committed to addressing resident concerns in a timely and respectful manner.

Staying Connected: Project Updates at Your Fingertips

The City of Burlington is dedicated to providing residents with timely and relevant information about the New Street Watermain Replacement Project. The City utilizes a multi-faceted approach to keep residents informed about construction progress, upcoming events, and any potential impacts.

Website Hub: The City's website serves as the central information hub for the project. Residents can find comprehensive project details, including schedules, maps, and frequently asked questions, all in one convenient location.

Email Updates: To receive instant notifications about project updates, residents can utilize the "Subscribe to Page Updates" feature on the project page. This ensures that residents are automatically alerted whenever new information is posted, allowing them to stay abreast of any changes or developments.

Direct Contact: The City encourages open communication and welcomes resident inquiries. For day-to-day construction-related questions, residents can contact the dedicated Construction Inspector. For all other project-related inquiries, residents can reach out to the designated Project Manager. This direct line of communication ensures that residents have access to the appropriate personnel for addressing their specific needs.

Building a Better Future: Project Benefits and Gratitude

The New Street Watermain Replacement Project represents a commitment by the City of Burlington to investing in essential infrastructure for the long-term benefit of the community. The completion of this project will provide several advantages for residents, including:

● Enhanced Water Service: The new watermain will improve water pressure and flow, ensuring a reliable and safe water supply for homes and businesses in the area. This investment helps to prevent future watermain breaks and service disruptions, contributing to a more sustainable water system for the city.

● Preparing for Future Needs: The project also lays the groundwork for future bridge work by lowering the existing watermain. This proactive approach ensures that future infrastructure upgrades can be completed efficiently and with minimal disruption to residents.

The City of Burlington extends its sincere appreciation to residents for their patience and cooperation during this important infrastructure project. The City understands that construction projects can be disruptive, and the City is grateful for the understanding shown by the community as we work to build a stronger and more resilient infrastructure for the future.

 

****

This blog post has utilized information and resources available on the City of Burlington's official website (www.burlington.ca) to provide accurate and up-to-date details regarding development projects, planning processes, and policies.